12 Jobs to Avoid as an INFJ
Choosing the right career path can be a daunting task, especially when trying to align it with your personality. The good news is that knowing your personality type can provide valuable insights for career planning. In this article, we look at 12 jobs to avoid as an INFJ.
Choosing the right career path can be a daunting task, especially when trying to align it with your personality. The good news is that knowing your personality type can provide valuable insights for career planning. In this article, we look at 12 jobs to avoid as an INFJ.
INFJs are often seen as generous, thoughtful, and creative individuals. They are talented in diplomacy, making them natural peacemakers who are able to bring people together. This means they are well-suited for a variety of challenging roles. However, certain careers are less suited to their natural traits, potentially leading to dissatisfaction and burnout.
It’s worth noting that every INFJ is unique, and it’s certainly possible for INFJs to enjoy and thrive in the jobs on this list. It’s just that for many INFJs, these jobs don’t align with their natural strengths and preferences.
12 jobs to avoid as an INFJ
So, let’s dive right in and explore 12 jobs to avoid as an INFJ.
1. Salesperson
While INFJs are highly empathetic and skilled at understanding people’s needs, they can quickly become drained by constant social interaction. They tend to enjoy a limited amount of socializing. But this threshold is usually far below what’s required for a successful sales career. Additionally, INFJs aren’t typically primarily motivated by money or material success. This can be a hindrance in a sales role where the focus is on meeting targets and making profits. Last but not least, the high-pressure and often competitive nature of sales can be a source of dissatisfaction for INFJs, who thrive in calmer, more collaborative environments.
2. Warehouse Worker
Warehouse work often requires you to be constantly engaged with your physical environment, which can be exhausting for INFJs. Their preference for spending time with their thoughts and ideas means that they may struggle in jobs that require them to constantly move around. Additionally, the repetitive nature of warehouse work can be draining for INFJs, who seek mental challenges that focus on the big picture.
3. Emergency Room Nurse
While INFJs are one of the most empathetic and caring personality types, they may struggle in high-stress, fast-paced environments like an emergency room. The constant need to make quick decisions and deal with intense situations can be overwhelming for INFJs. Typically, they prefer a more deliberate approach, which is a luxury emergency nurses generally aren’t afforded. Their empathy can actually be a drawback in this role, as they may struggle to maintain healthy boundaries. In addition, the constant exposure to suffering can be overwhelming for them because they are highly sensitive.
4. Real Estate Agent
Real estate can be a challenging career for INFJs, who may struggle with the highly competitive and sales-driven nature of the job. While INFJs are skilled at understanding people’s needs and motivations, they may find it difficult to constantly promote and sell properties. They may also struggle with the high-pressure environment and the need to meet targets and close deals quickly. This personality type can be talented at negotiating and advocating for their clients, but it can take up a lot of their energy. So real estate can be a job to avoid for an INFJ.
5. Bartender
There are a few different aspects of bar work that may not be suited to INFJs. Firstly, the late hours and unpredictable nature of bar shifts can be difficult for them, given they prefer stability and routine. Secondly, constant social interaction and small talk with strangers can quickly drain INFJs, who value deep conversations with close friends or family. Finally, the fast-paced and often loud environment of a bar can be overwhelming for them because they prefer calmer and more peaceful settings. These individuals are sensitive to their surroundings. As such, they can find it challenging to work in environments where they have no control over the noise level and overall atmosphere.
6. Security Guard
Being a security guard requires you to be highly aware of your surroundings at all times. This typically isn’t a strength of INFJs, who naturally live in their heads. These daydreamers may struggle to stay engaged and alert for long periods, which can certainly be a hindrance in this job. In addition, they tend to look for mental challenges rather than physical ones, so this type of role generally isn’t suited to their preferences. INFJs in this role may feel bored and dissatisfied.
7. Military Personnel
The highly structured and rigid environment of the military may not align well with an INFJ’s desire for autonomy. As discussed, they are sensitive to their surroundings, so they appreciate jobs where they can take a moment to decompress when they feel overwhelmed. This can be difficult in the military, where rules and schedules are strictly enforced. Additionally, an INFJ’s empathetic nature may make it difficult for them to participate in certain military duties that go against their personal values.
8. Cashier
As mentioned earlier, INFJs prefer limited social interaction and can become drained when constantly engaging with strangers. This can make being a cashier a challenging job for them. In addition, they don’t cope well with small talk. When they participate in conversations, they much prefer to talk about deep, big-picture topics. Cashiers don’t always have the luxury of being able to choose their conversations. As such, it may be difficult for INFJs to maintain their energy and enthusiasm during their shifts.
9. Stockbroker
Similar to sales positions, stockbrokers have a primary focus on making profits and meeting targets, which aren’t typically primary motivators for INFJs. This job also requires continuous engagement with the fast-paced and often unpredictable world of finance. This can be overwhelming for INFJs who prefer a more calm, stable work environment. INFJs are drawn to deep reflection and understanding, making them less suited for a job that requires constant, quick decision-making. So stockbroking can be a job to avoid for an INFJ.
10. Police Officer
While INFJs have an innate desire to help people and make a difference in the world, the nature of being a police officer may not be the best fit for them. For starters, enforcing rules and regulations goes against their natural inclination to find harmony and understanding. In addition, INFJs can struggle with having to deal with people who have been harmed or hurt in some way. This is because they absorb other people’s emotions. Seeing people in distress is one of the most painful scenes for an INFJ to witness, and it may cause them to feel burnt out in this career path.
11. Chef
The fast-paced and often chaotic environment of a restaurant kitchen may be overwhelming for INFJs. The job requires constant multitasking and dealing with unexpected challenges, which can be exhausting for INFJs who value structure and stability. Furthermore, the high-pressure nature of having to prepare food in a timely manner and meet customer expectations may not align well with an INFJ’s desire to avoid conflict and please others. They can be particularly sensitive to criticism and may find it hard to deal with negative feedback.
12. Debt Collector
INFJs naturally seek peace and harmony, and being a debt collector often involves confrontational situations and difficult conversations. This type of job may feel deeply uncomfortable for INFJs who prefer to avoid conflict and maintain positive relationships with others. Having to constantly chase people for money and potentially deal with angry or upset individuals can be draining for INFJs, who are highly sensitive to emotionally charged situations. This job also requires a high level of assertiveness, which may not come naturally to INFJs who value diplomacy and empathy in their interactions.
Final thoughts on INFJ jobs to avoid
INFJs possess unique strengths that make them thoughtful and visionary thinkers. Not all jobs are created equal when it comes to leveraging these strengths. By avoiding roles that are emotionally draining, repetitive, or highly physical, INFJs can find careers that align with their natural abilities and preferences.
Are you an INFJ looking to discover your ideal career path? Understanding your personality type can be a game-changer in finding a job that not only fits your skills but also brings you joy and satisfaction. You may not find your dream job right away, but with self-awareness and perseverance, you can find a career that allows you to thrive.
